May 1, 2016
05-01-16 - UCF at USF - Images by UCF Knights
TAMPA, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF rebounded on Sunday with a 9-2 victory at USF to split the six-game season series. Junior catcher Matt Diorio registered a career day by going 4-for-6 with two homers, one double and five RBI.
"This team showed its competitive and toughness today on Championship Sunday," head coach Terry Rooney said." To play the way we played today just tells you how tough we are. Championship Sunday is all about energy, determination and toughness. These guys came back after a tough loss last night and set the tone early."
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The Knights saw sophomore Cre Finfrock provide a quality start and notch six strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings of work to improve to 4-4 on the campaign.
Multi-hit games were also tallied by senior designated hitter Sam Tolleson and junior Brennan Bozeman. Tolleson also drove in a pair of runs for the Knights.
Opening Up The Scoring
- UCF scored a pair of runs in the top of the first frame on two hits.
- After Luke Hamblin drew a 3-2 walk, Brennan Bozeman singled up the middle before Ryan Crile moved the runners into scoring position with a sac bunt.
- A clutch two-run double to right field put the Knights on the board.
"We came to play today. Our coaches talked about putting the ball in play and make something happen during pregame. We did that and everyone had competitive at bats and went up to the plate with a lot of confidence."
-C Matt Diorio
Putting Up a Four Spot
- The Knights tallied four runs on three hits to extend their advantage to 6-0 in the third inning.
- Following a single by Brennan Bozeman, Matt Diorio connected on a two-run homer to right to push the lead to 4-0. He also added a solo shot with two outs in the sixth to straight-away center.
- After a pair of hit batters and a wild pitch, Sam Tolleson came through with a two-run double down the left field line.
"Hopefully, today is a momentum builder for our offense. We did a terrific job against some very good USF arms. No matter the result or score, you just have to look back and see how these guys continue to bounce back.."
HC Terry Rooney
Back to Finfrocking
- After two tough starts, Cre Finfrock bounced back with six strikeouts during a 6 2/3 inning outing.
- The Jensen Beach, Fla., native allowed only two earned runs on seven hits and helped the defense turn a two doubles plays.
- Junior Drew Faintich struck out one as the left retired a pair of USF batters.
- Three strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings were recorded by sophomore Andrew Deramo.
"Cre Finfrock goes out there and competes every day for us whenever he is out there. He is a competitor and a winner. [During a couple of jams] I went out there, told him to calm down a little bit and told him to just throw your fastball, let it rip and do what you have to do."
-C Matt Diorio
"He set the tone and more importantly worked out of some jams. He did a nice job. The bullpen also did a tremendous job all weekend."
-HC Terry Rooney
Noting the Bulls
- Duke Stunkel and Luke Borders each registered two hits and one RBI to lead USF.
- The loss was handed to Joe Cavallaro (4-1), who fanned two in his three-plus innings.
- Tommy Eveld recorded five strikeouts in a two-inning outing.
Next Up
- UCF begins a four-game homestand on Wednesday with a 6:30 p.m. start against Jacksonville. The contest will serve as the final Dollar Dog Knight of the season.
- First-place Cincinnati comes to Orlando for a three-game set that begins on Friday at 6:30 p.m.